Welded railway car truck frame



May 5, 1953 E. J. CHARLTON ETAL WELDED RAILWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME S sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 2o, 194e May 5, 1953 E. J. CHARLTON ETAL 2,637,279

wELnED RAILWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME Filed July 2o, 194s 5 sheets-sheet 2 May 5, 1953 E. J. CHARLTON ETAL 2,637,279

WELDED RAILWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME Filed July 2o, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gigi,

m Tm/anions' Edward J. Charlon Lewis WEdwarcZs by heirH/omegs bbw/62m E. J'. CHARLTON ETAL wELDED RAILWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME May 5, 1953 5 SheetsSheet 4,

Filed July 20. 1948 ITI/Uefl/OTS Edward .I Czaflan/ Lewis WIJ-Edwards by ihefrzfmys WMM W May 5, 1'953 E. J. CHARLTON ET AL 2,537,279

wELDED RAILWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME Filed July 2o, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Im/enors' Edward J'. Chaf'ln Leu/135 Widwafcls Patented May 5, 1953 UNiTE STES TENT WELDED RAJLWAY CAR TRUCK FRAME cf Pennsylvania Application .luly 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,653

(Cl. 10S-208) 23 Claims. l 1

This invention pertains to railway rolling stock and more particularly to an improved lightweight welded passenger car truck frame assembly.

For many years, the frame of a railway truck has been made from a steel casting because of the necessity for extreme strength and rigidity. With the recent development of higher railway speeds and lighter weight rolling stock, the desirability of decreasing weight in the railway truck without any loss in rigidity and strength has become of considerable importance. While we are aware that others have appreciated the possibility of decreasing weight in a railway truck, other designs for this purpose have not been felt sufficiently safe or economical to be generally adopted in place of the cast structure. A notable weakness of both the cast structures and in previous semi-welded construction has been the concentration of stress at the junctions of the transoms with the side frames. in the cast frame, excessively heavy webs have been provided at these points to insure rigidity. The present invention particularly directed to an improved welded frame which has ample strength at the termini of the transoms. Other noteworthy features of the invention include speciiically the provision o1" a rigid box section end transom joining the extremities of the frame,

internal bulkheads strategically located in the f side frame members, and the elimination of many expensive machining operations, etc.

A primary object therefore, of the invention is to provide a lightweight yet strong and rigid all--weided railway truck frame.

vil further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight railway truck frame comprising a unitary weldment fabricated of steel plate that is interchangeable with the generally standard truck frame now in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight welded railway truck frame which may be fabricated substantially from standard rolled sheet metal sections and/or steel plate.

' A further object of the invention is to provide in railway truck frame construction suitable stiiieners and bulkheads at the junctions of the transoms with the side frame.

` A further object oi the invention'is to provide an improved transom construction for a railway truck frame. v

Further objects willlbe apparent frcm the specification and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan of a passenger car railway truck frame constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. la is an enlarged detail in plan of one of the transom junctions with the side rail partly broken away to show the bulkhead construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure of Fig. l partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the structure of Fig. 2,'

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail as seen at 6 6 of Fig. l;

Fig. is an enlarged sectional detail as seen at 'i-'i of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail as seen at 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective detail showing the structure of Fig. la; and

Fig. l0 is an enlarged perspective detail of the joint between the side member on the box cross member,

The invention comprises essentially the provision in a railway truck frame oi a welded box transom, fabricated from a pair of channel members, which is anchored at each end to a welded box side rail through a specially designed transition structure which constitutes an important feature of the truck frame construction in that it provides an opening for the usual truck swing hanger or link and at the same time provides a high degree of rigidity and strength at the junction between the transom and side rail where it is needed. The transom is underslung with respect to the side frames and has a sloping U- shaped web extending entirely through the transom and welded thereto, which forms three sides of the swing link slot. positioned inside the rails at points of maximum stress, to provide ample rigidity and strength without substantial increase of weight. The in-i terlocking construction of the flanges and webs is such that ail necessity for full strength buttwelds through the entire cross-section is eliminated. The ability to provide a suitably strong welded construction of steel plate in a passenger car truck frame enables a reduction or" approximately 30% in weight over the previously usedv cast construction. y

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the passenger car truck frame shown in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of side rails i5 and I6 which are centrally connected by means of a pair of Suitable bulkheads are v center' transoms proper |1 and 8 through specially designed transition structures generally designated 42. Cross members I9 and 20 connect the rails l and I6 at their extremities as shown in detail in Fig. 10. The frame is provided with the necessary pedestals 25, and the conventional accessories such as spring pads 2|, 2|, bolster anchor brackets 22, 22, bell crank brackets 23, 23, brake hanger box brackets 2li, 24, all welded to the rails or transoms as the case may be.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the side rails l5 and l@ are substantially flat on top and of uniform depth between the pedestals 25. This construction enables the bottom plate 2S of each side frame to be carried from the inner leg 25a of one pedestal to the bottom of the other pedestal leg as shown in Fig. 2, thus providing a unitary member across the bottom of cach side rail. If desired., plato 26 may be slotted at 25d between the bottom of the rails and the tip of the pedestal 25a. Fig. 9 further illustrates the manner in which plate 26. projects transversely to entend as at 2Gb downwardlyr and under the ends of transoms Il and lf3. Figs. 6 and 7 show the spring pads 2| welded to the bottom plate 2G.

In plan, the side rails t5 and i6 are thinner between the transoms Il and lt than between the transoms and cross-members ill and 2t, but it will be noted that the sides 2l and 28 of each rail' are substantially parallel and formed from angle members butt-welded longitudinally along the top of the rail and welded to plate 26 along the bottom, as shown in Fig. 9. For the purpose of clarity, the detailed construction of only one side rail and transom junction will be described since` it will be understood that the other side rail and transom structures are identical. The same applies to the cross-members I8 and 29.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9, each center transom is fabricated from two facing channel members 29 and 3D, the flanges of which are butt-welded at le to form an enclosed box section giving extreme strength and rigidity to this member. The welded channels are beveled at the' bottom of each end and welded to the top surface of a sloping extension 26h on plate 25. The downward slope of extension 26h which forms the bottom of the transition structure, in eiect truncates the general pyramid-shape of the transition structure 42 so that the top and two sides thereof converge from the base inwardly to the apex portion 4| while the bottom is more nearly parallel to the top. This feature also lowers the top of the underslung transoms well below the centerline of the side rails and even below the bottom of the side rails (Figs. 6 9) and further permits of variation in the location of the transoms vertically with respect to the side rails.

The apex portion 4| of the transition structure 42 is hollow and generally U-shaped in the horizontal direction, and extends vertically upward from the bottom of the transom and slopes outwardly to provide offset weld lines to the transom base at 4|a and the transom top at 4|b.

It will be noted in Fig. 1a that side 42a of structure 42 is longer than side 42h to compensate for the thinned central section of the side rails. The top 42o of structure 42 slopes downwardly and is provided with a concave arcuate notch 42d at its inner end. The top of the apex portion 4| has a pair of ears 4|c, 4|c which are welded to and surrounded by a U-shaped collar` 43 to form a trunnion for the swing link (not shown). A pair of drilled tabs 44, 44 on collar it accommodate a retainer (not shown) for the swing link pin (not shown) which rides in bushli wear plate 4t for the bolster (not shown) is welded at the inside of each transom in a vertical line with the swing link trunnion. The upper portion of wear plate 46 is of channel section, the flanges of the portion being welded directly to channel 4|, the top being welded to the bottom of collar 43, whereas the lower extremity of the wear plate extends downwardly over the side of channel 30 without any anges and is likewise welded thereto.

A stiflening bulkhead 41 in structure 42 is illustrated in Figs. la and 7. This bulkhead extends from the bend line between extension 2Gb and plate 25 to the top 42C of bracket 42, and slopes inwardly.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, it will be noted that the sides 42a and 42h of structure A42 slope inwardly towards the top and' therefore present a biased stress line along the sides of rail I5. A pair of bulkheads 48, 48' are welded inde rail l5 in registry with the 'welds oit sides 42a and 421i. This construction provides ample reinforcement at the area of concentrated stress. Additional strengthening for the side rails is provided by means of transverse sleeves 49, 49 ee5. in between the transition structures a.l each rail.

Two additional bulkheads 58, 50 are provided in each rail between the bend line for the inner pedestal legs 25a, 25a and the outer termini of spring pads 2|, 2|. Additional rigidity for the bolster anchor brackets 22, 22 is thus achieved' since the supporting webs 22a, 22a for the brackets are welded to the rails |5 and |16 in line with one of the bulkheads 5U in eachrail, as shown in Fig. l. It will be apparent that the bulkheads 48, 48 and 50 provide both vertical and lateral strengthening for the side rails at points of maximum stress since they are located at the transition structures, the pedestal juncture, the bolster anchor bracket weld line', andv over the spring pads. Sleeves 49 perform a similar stiiiening function at the center section of each side rail.

Attention is also directed to the construction of the truck frame at the extremities of thev side rails. In this area, rigidity is achieved by means of sleeves 5|, 5| welded to the sides of the rails and in addition, there is provided a pair of transverse cross members I9 and 2U connect'- ing opposite ends of the frame. By way of eX- ainple, the details at one end of member r9 will be described, but the opposite end of member IS as well as both ends of member 2|! are fabricated in the same way. Therefore, the numerals in the drawings designate identical or similarly related parts. Referring to Figs. l, 2, 4 and 10, the cross member l5 comprises a channel |911 which extends entirely through the ends of the rails I5 and It. The webs of each channel |`9a face towards the center of the frame and are welded to plates |91), thus form-ing a completely enclosed box section for a substantial portion of each member |S. Plates |95 also extend entirely through rails l5 and |6 and are additionally reinforced by a pair of triangular gusset plates 52, 52 which are butt welded to the inside of rail members 27, 21 and plates leb, |9b.

The sleeves 5| and 49 serve a dual purpose since they not only reinforce the rails |5 and i6 but also provide a convenientl means for welding the bulkheads after the plates 2l and 28 have been welded to each other. The inner rail plate 21 is cut to substantially the same outside diameter as the sleeves. These holes are then used by the welder as access holes for welding the bulkheads. Thereupon the sleeves are dropped. through the apertures in the inner rail plates and welded to the outer rail plate 28 around the inside diameter of the sleeves and then welded to the inner rail plate 21 around the edge of the aperture and the end of the sleeves. In this way, all the bulkheads i8, 48 and 5G can be welded onto the inner faces of both plates 21 and 28.

It will be apparent that the entire construction of the frame is designed to secure a maximum strength and rigidity at the points of stress concentration through the expedient of providing ample stiifening members at these points. The idea of utilizing bulkheads and plate members instead of increasing the thickness of the frame itself is new in railway track frame construction and effects a great saving in weight. It will be noted that the construction furthermore is designed to facilitate assembly and production since the entire frame can, if desired, be fabricated from standard steel plate or rolled sheet metal sections. Machining operations have been reduced to a minimum so that an extremely satisfactory truck frame assembly has been designed to meet all the requirements of manufacture and service.

It will be understood that certain features of the passenger truck frame construction described herein relate to a preferred embodiment and that certain modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, some of the smaller parts such as the spring pads, may be castings. Also, the shape of several of the tubular members may be square, circular, or rectangular as desired and therefore it is not intended to be limited beyond the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

We claim:

l. A railway truck frame having a pair of hollow side rails, a pair of hollow transoms extending laterally across the frame and between the rails near the central section thereof, said transoms comprising oppositely facing channel members, a pair of transition members forming the termini of each transom, and a reinforcing plate welded internally of each transition member, said plates being oblique with respect to the vertical center line of the transition members.

2. A railway truck frame having a pair of hollow side rails, a pair of hollow transoms extending laterally across the frame and between the rails near the central section thereof, said transoms comprising oppositely facing channel members, a pair of transition members forming the termini of each-transom, the base of said structure being welded to the side rail and the opposite end of the structure being welded to the transom, abulkhead in each side rail in registry with the structure base welds, a bolster anchor bracket welded to each side rail, and a bulkhead in each side rail welded in registry with the bolster anchor bracket.

` 3. A railway truck frame having a pair of hollow side rails, a pair of hollow transoms extending laterally across the frame and between the rails near the central section thereof, said transoms comprising oppositely facing channel members, a pair oftransition members forming the termini of each transom, the base of said structure being welded to the side rail and the opposite end of the structure being welded to the transom, a bulkhead in each side rail in registry with the structure base welds, a bolster anchor bracket welded to each side rail, a bulkhead in each side rail welded in registry with the bolster anchor bracket, and a plurality of sleeves in each side rail, said sleeves being welded to the inner face of one side rail member and to the edge of a registering aperture in the other side rail member.

4. In railway truck frame construction a transom member comprising a pair of oppositely facing channels welded longitudinally to form a box section, a transition structure including a hollow end portion extending from the bottom of the transom through the top of the transom and being welded to the bottom and top, the inner edge of the end portion sloping outwardly with respect to the transom to provide unaligned welds, a reinforcing collar welded circumferentially around the upper periphery of said end portion, and a bottom plate welded to the underside of said structure and the ends of said channels and having a slot therein in line with the hollow end mrtion of the said structure.

5. A. transom construction in accordance with claim 4, in which the bottom plate is formed integrally with a section of a side rail member.

6. In railway truck frame construction a tran-- som member comprising a pair of oppositely facing channels welded longitudinally to form a box section, a flattened collar extending from the bottom of the transom through the top of the transom and being welded to the bottom and top, the inner edge of the collar sloping outwardly with respect to the transom to provide unaligned welds, a reinforcing collar Welded circumferentially around the upper periphery of said flattened collar, a bulkhead serving as an enclosure for the transom and welded thereto, and a bracket welded to one of said channels substantially midway between the termini thereof.

7. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprising a pair of spaced hollow side rails fabricated of steel plate, at least one hollow transom extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of the side rails, a hollow transition structure recessed into each end of the transom and welded thereto and to each side rail, and reinforcing means internally of said hollow transition structure.

8. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprising a pair of spaced hollow side rails fabricated of steel plate, at least one hollow transom extending laterally between the s'de rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of said side rails, and a transition structure welded at its outer end to each side rail and including an inner end portion recessed into the adjacent end of the transom and welded thereto, said inner end portion of each transition structure being hollow and extending the full height of the transom to provide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link.

9. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprising a pair of spaced hollow side rails fabricated of steel plate, at least one transom extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of said side rails, a transition structure recessed into each end of the transom and welded thereto and to each side rail, and a bottom plate portion extending inwardly from each side rail and under- 7 lying andwelded to saidtransition structure and the adjacent end of the transom.

1D. A` unitaryV railway truck frame we'ldment comprising a pair` ofA spaced hollow side rails fabricated'ofsteel plate, at least one hollow transom extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of said side rails,A a transition structure welded-at its outer end to each side rail and including an inner end portion recessed into the adjacent end of -thetransom and welded thereto, said inner end portion of each transition structure beinghollow and extending the full height of the transom to provide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link, and a bottoml plate portion extending inwardly from each side'iail and underlying and welded to said transition structure and the adjacent end of the transom, said' bottomy plate portion having an openingtherein underlying the hollow inner end portion off the transition structure.

ll. In a unitary railway truck trarne weldment havin-ga pair `of spacedhollow side rails connected bye. plurality of-transoms, the improved construction for at leasty oneV of said transoms that comprises ya hollow box-section member extending laterally. between'the siderails near the central portion thereof'andterminating short of the side rails, and a transition structure extending between theopposite ends of said one transom andftheadjacent side rail, said transition structurerincluding anlouter portion comprising laterally. divergent side walls having their outer edges welded to thenner-walls of the side rails and aninner end portion recessed into the adjacent end of said onetransom and welded thereto.

12.- In a unitary railway truck frame weldment having a pair of spaced hollow side rails connected :by a-Jplurality oftransoms, the improved construction forA atr least encor-said transoms that comprises arhollowbox section member extendingl laterally between the side rails near the central' portion thereof1 and'- terminatingV short oi' the side` rails. anda transition structure extending between the oppositefenos voisaid one transomandthe-adjacentlside rail, said transition structure including an-outer portion comprising laterally.- divergent sidewalls having their outerv edges :weldedsto the inner walls of the side rails andan innerend portion recessed into the adjaoen-trend ol. said one transom and welded thereto, said innerend portion of each transition structure being. hollow and extending the full height of the transomto provide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link; l,

13. In a unitary railway truck frame weldnient having-a pair of spaced hollow side rails connected by a plurality of transoms, the improved construction for at least` one of said transoms that comprises a hollowbox section member extending laterally betweeny the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminatingshort of the side rails, a transition structure extending between the opposite ends of saidone transom and the adjacent siderail, said transition structure includingv an outerv portion comprising laterally divergent sidewalls yhaving their outer edges welded to the innerlwalls of the side rails and an inner end portion recessed into the adjacent end of sadpne transom and welded thereto, and a bottom plateportion-extending inwardly from each sie rail and underlying and welded to said transitionv structureand the adjacent end of the transom..

14. In a-unitary railway truck-frame weldment having a pair-of spacedhollow side rails connecteid-by a plurality of transoms, the improved construction for at least oneV of said transoms that comprises a hollow `box section member extending laterally between the side rails near the central portlenthereof and terminating short of the side rails, al transition` structure extending between the opposite ends of said one transomv and the adjacent side rail, said transition structure including an outer portion comprising laterally divergent side walls having their outer edges welded to the inner walls of the side rails and an inner end portion recessed into the adjacent end of said one transom and welded thereto, said inner end portion of each transition structure being hollow and extending the fullheight of the transom to provide an opening therethroughr for the mounting of a swing link, and a bottom plate portion extending inwardly from each side rail and undei-lying and weldedr to said transition structure and the adjacent end of the transom, said bottom plate portion havingan opening therein underlying the hollow inner end portion of the transition structure.

15. A construction in accordance with claim 8, in which the transition structure inner end has a swing link. pin trunnion welded to its upper edge for suspension of a swing link through the structure inner end and the transom.

16. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprising a pair of spaced hollow sidefrails fabricated of steel plate, at least one transom extending laterally between the side rails near the ccntral portion thereof and. terminating short of .said side rails, a transition structure recessed'into each end. or the transom and welded thereto and to each side rail, a bottom plate portion extending inwardly from each side rail and underlying and welded to said transition'structure at the adjacent eno. of the transom', said bottom plate portion of each side railsloping inwardly andi supportinghe. transoinfbelow the level of the side rails.

1.7. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprising a pair of spaced hollow siderails fabricated of steel plate, at least one transom extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating,r short of said side rails, a transition structure recessed into each end of the. transom and welded thereto and-to each side rail, a bottom plate portion extending. inwardlyfrom eaehside rail and underlying and welded to said transition structure and-the adjacent vend of the transom, the ends of the transom being beveled inwardly and the bottom plate portion of each side rail sloping correspondingly inward and supporting the transombelowthe level of the side rails 18'. l construction as claimed inl claim l1, wherein the transition structure includes a top platewhich.overles and isfwelded to the upper edges of the side walls thereof and extends outwardly intothe top ofthe adjacentlsderail and is welded thereto.

19. A unitary railway truck frame weldment comprisinga pair of spaced hollow sidev rails fabricated of steel plate, at least one hollow transom extending laterally between the side rails,` near thecentral portion thereof and terminatingy short of said side rails, atransition structure welded at its outer end to each siderail and including an innerend portion welded tothe adjacent end of the transom, said inner endV portion of each transition structure beingy hollow and extending the full height of the. transom toiprovide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link,

and a bottom plate portion extending-inwardlyV from each side rail and underlying and welded to said transition structure and the adjacent end of the transom, said bottom plate portion having an opening therein underlying the hollow inner end portion of the transition structure.

20. In a unitary railway truck frame weldrnent having a pair of spaced hollow side rails connected by a plurality of transoms, the improved construction for at least one of said transoms that comprises a hollow box section member extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of the side rails, and a transition structure extending between the opposite ends of said one transom and the adjacent side rails, said transition structure including an outer portion comprising laterally divergent side walls having their outer edges welded to the inner walls of the side rails and an inner end portion welded to the adjacent end o1' said one transom.

21. In a unitary railway truck frame weldment having a pair of spaced hollow side rails connected by a plurality of transoms, the improved construction for at least one of said transoms that comprises a hollow box section member extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of the side rails, and a transition structure extending between the opposite ends of said one transom and the adjacent side rail, said transition structure including an outer portion comprising laterally divergent side walls having their outer edges welded to the inner walls of the side rails and an inner end portion Welded to the adjacent end of said one transom, said inner end portion oi each transition structure being hollow and extending the full height of the transom to provide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link.

22. In a unitary railway truck frame weldment having a pair of spaced hollow side rails connected by a plurality of transoms, the improved construction for at least one of said transoms that comprises a hollow box section member extending laterally between the side rails near the central portion thereof and terminating short of the side rails, a transition structure extending between the lopposite ends of said one transom and the adjacent side rail, said transition structure including an outer portion comprising laterally divergent side walls having their outer edges welded to the inner walls of the side rails and an inner end portion welded to the adjacent end of said one transom, said inner end portion of each transition structure being hollow and extending the full height of the transom to provide an opening therethrough for the mounting of a swing link, and a bottom plate portion extending inwardly from each side rail and underlying and welded to said transition structure and the adjacent end of the transom, said bottom plate portion having an opening therein underlying the hollow inner end portionof the transition structure.

23. In a railway car truck frame, a substantially hollow side rail member of plate elements welded together, a substantially hollow transom member of plate elements welded together, and a substantially hollow transition structure at the junction between said members, of considerably greater overall vertical dimension than the vertical dimension of one of said members at said junction, said structure also being substantially hollow, and of plate welded to said members.

EDWARD J. CHARLTON. LEWIS W. EDWARDS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,978,207 Kjolseth Oct. 23, 1934 2,113,964 Robinson et al Apr. 12, 1938 2,181,709 Schenck Nov. 28, 1939 2,184,102 Piron Dec. 19, 1939 2,186,008 Chapman Jan. 9, 1940 2,231,848 Eksergian Feb. l1, 1941 2,242,190 Blomberg et al. May 13, 1941 2,320,085 Ledwinka May 25, 1943 2,347,500 Parke Apr. 25, 1944 2,443,980 Fish June 22, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 849,678 France Nov. 29, 1939 

